Dota 2 update New Frontiers makes map 40 percent larger and adjusts gameplay

Valve has released update 7.33 under the name New Frontiers for Dota 2. The update, among other things, expands the playing field and gives players more to do in the new corners of the map. Some fundamental gameplay elements have also been adjusted.

Image via Valve

New Frontiers makes the map about 40 percent larger, but Valve emphasizes that the core of the moba game remains the same. The so-called lanes and objectives have the same distance from each other as before, but Valve has added new gameplay options around these well-known parts of the map.

For example, Twin Gates portals have been added to the upper left and lower right corners of the map, allowing players to quickly teleport from one side of the playing field to the other. The map also contains new Lotus Pools for HP and mana, Tormentors at the bases that spawn creeps, Watchers that can be activated to temporarily see that area, Defender’s Gates that can only be used by the defending party and relocated Outposts. All these additions should give players new strategic options outside the usual lanes and objectives.

The Dota 2 update also changes some important aspects in terms of gameplay. For example, neutral creeps will now become stronger during a game, making their nests more difficult to defeat. In addition, players are rewarded less and less during a game for defeating lane creeps, which at a certain point gives them more incentive to fight other players.

Finally, Valve applies a new matchmaking system and the developer makes various tweaks and adjustments to items, characters and skills. The most important change within the latter category is the fact that ‘the duration of almost all disable skills has been made lower’, which means that players should be able to play more on average, according to Valve. The complete patch notes can be found here.